The Shakespeare & Beyond blog features a wide range of Shakespeare-related topics: the early modern period in which he lived, the ways his plays have been interpreted and staged over the past four centuries, the enduring power of his characters and language, and more.
Shakespeare & Beyond
![Shax_beyond_small_banner](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/11/Shax_beyond_small_banner.jpg?resize=1200%2C400&gravity)
Shakespeare & Beyond also explores the topics that shape our experience of Shakespeare today: trends in performance, the latest discoveries and scholarship, news stories, pop culture, interesting books, new movies, the rich context of theater and literary history, and more. As the word “beyond” suggests, from time to time Shakespeare & Beyond also covers topics that are not directly linked to Shakespeare.
Questions or comments? You can reach us at shakespeareandbeyond@folger.edu.
![RJ-1004 (1)_banner_FB](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/09/RJ-1004-1_banner_FB.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters this fall
We take a trip across the country to see what’s onstage at Shakespeare theaters this fall.
![Folger Theatre - The Winter's Tale a mother and daughter embracing](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/09/WINTER890-2009-Folger-Theatre-Carol-Pratt.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Quiz: Family reunions in Shakespeare's plays
Shakespeare’s plays are full of family reunions, among them The Winter’s Tale. See if you can identify the correct characters for each one.
![Karim-Cooper-Great-White-Bard The Great White Bard by Farah Karim-Cooper](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/09/Karim-Cooper-Great-White-Bard.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Excerpt: "The Great White Bard"
Farah Karim-Cooper explores the way that race is represented by Desdemona in Shakespeare’s Othello, in this excerpt from her new book, The Great White Bard.
![038754-aspect-ratio-828-619](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/08/038754-aspect-ratio-828-619.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Five Shakespeare quotes about the sea
Shakespeare overflows with sea poetry. Steve Mentz of St. John’s University shares his favorite Shakespeare quotes about the ocean.
![barbie-film-aspect-ratio-951-630](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/08/barbie-film-aspect-ratio-951-630.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
The Shakespearean parts of “Barbenheimer”
Austin Tichenor explores how Barbie and Oppenheimer wrestle with Shakespearean themes of identity, hubris, and redemption.
![twelfth-night-3](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/08/twelfth-night-3.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
5 things to look for when you watch Twelfth Night
We ask a few of our favorite Shakespeareans what you should keep an eye out for when you watch Twelfth Night.
![Loon-Painting-scaled-aspect-ratio-1896-1342](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/08/Loon-Painting-scaled-aspect-ratio-1896-1342-scaled.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Birds of Shakespeare: The loon
The loon appears just once in Shakespeare’s plays, in a line from Macbeth.
![Hamlet Hamlet in a ruff](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/08/357_Hamlet_crJeffMalet_2015.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Quiz: Hamlet or Polonius?
Who said it: Hamlet or Polonius? Test your knowledge of these well-known lines from Hamlet.
![annethology-cover-fb-aspect-ratio-822-616](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/07/annethology-cover-fb-aspect-ratio-822-616.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Excerpt: "Anne-thology: Poems Re-Presenting Anne Shakespeare"
Read four poems from a newly published collection that marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife.
![sbt-2010-1-dunn-anne-hathaway-2010-dunn-002-aspect-ratio-906-661](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/07/sbt-2010-1-dunn-anne-hathaway-2010-dunn-002-aspect-ratio-906-661.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Not simply Shakespeare's wife: Marking the 400th anniversary of Anne Hathaway's death with poetry
The editors of a new collection of poetry about Anne Hathaway share their take on her life and why she deserves a book of her own.
![Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow book cover Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/08/tomorrow-book-cover-1.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Shakespeare and gaming in "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"
Austin Tichenor reflects on the Shakespeare allusions and storytelling world in Gabrielle Zevin’s bestselling novel.
![Hamlet-Windsor-2137-scaled-Marc_Brenner_FB](https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/07/Hamlet-Windsor-2137-scaled-Marc_Brenner_FB.jpg?fit=10%2C10)
Advice from the players: 10 great actors on performing Shakespeare
Read a few favorite quotes from actors who joined us on our Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, including the late Glenda Jackson, Adrian Lester, and Sir Ian McKellen.